In the Yard

There are so many beautiful plants in Tanzania. Many plants which are common house plants grow wild here. Lantana, which is a common bedding plant in Lubbock, grows wild on the road side in the greener areas. The same with the purple variety of wandering jew. Ficus trees are huge trees, not the small silk or plastic versions we use in the US to fill in an empty corner in a room.

In the yard of the house in which we are living is a huge poinsettia tree that blooms year round. They were especially beautiful this morning.

I had never seen a franjipani bush before. I know it must be related to a magnolia or gardenia. The fragrance is amazing. One bush grows outside the living room window and in the evening when there is mild breeze, the room is filled with the perfume from these beautiful blooms.

Lubbock Team---Don't Forget Safari

I thought I was just about finished documenting the visit from our girls from Lubbock and totally forgot about the safari. This safari was a first for all of us as we paid our first visit to Mikumi National Park.
The open safari vehicle was lots of fun.

We had spied a pair of lionnesses early in the morning, sunning under a tree. On a late afternoon drive, the two stood and walked right over to where we were parked by a pond.....in our "open-sided vehicle", I might add!!!!
This particular lady, stopped right next us, laid down and proceeded to stretch and roll. She was not interested in us in the least.

We reached Dar es Salaam and were able to spend a few hours on the beach of the Indian Ocean before catching their return flight.

Lubbock Team--The Work Continues

Lubbock Team, the Safina team sends their greetings and wants you to see that the work is continuing on the roof. All the wood in the rafters has to be treated with "used motor oil" to combat termite and Pastor Patrick and Andrea and undertaking the job themselves.

Do you recognize that smile?

Andrea in pants......you know she must be hard at work.

The completed trusses........ready for "mabati" (metal sheets).

Lubbock Team-Raising the Roof

Everyone wanted in the picture as the team said their good-byes on the last day of work.

The Lubbock team raised funds to build and erect trusses for a roof on the center's 2 story building. There is extensive renovation to be done before the building is usable.

Ladies, you did a great job "raising the roof" in Tanzania.

Lubbock Team-Bus Stand Boys

Many of the homeless children in Dodoma hang out at the bus stand. There are opportunities to earn a coin or 2 and then the boys will rent a room for the night for around $1 usd. Often there are handouts. Sometimes they get drugs.

Once a week, the team leaders of Safina go to the bus stand to check on the boys there and spend time with them. They love the attention and the fact that someone cares enough to check on them. Because these boys had been around the team from Lubbock through the week, they were thrilled when they showed up for a visit...............

And to share a cup of "chai" and "maandazi" with them.

Lubbock Team-Walk in My Shoes

There was no "fluff" as the team from Lubbock went through their days working with the kids from Safina Street Network.

The team went to them where they lived

Where they hang out

Where they played

And where they were given a hot meal each day

Taking home with them the knowledge they made a difference in these children's lives in Tanzania.

Lubbock Team-Bling with a Message

Everyone likes "bling". Especially the homeless boys of Safina Street Ministry. Each afternoon before lunch, the boys gather for a devotional time. They really enjoy this time singing, praying, and just having fun. The Lubbock came prepared to share in this time and brought supplies to make Salvation Bracelets with the boys. Each boy had a strip of leather and 5 colored beads:

Black for the sin of the world
Red for the blood shed by Jesus on the Cross
White for the his resurrection and making us free from sin
Green for growing in our relationship with God
Yellow symbolizing we are heirs to the kingdom with Jesus